Roof supporting means or cap and a method of positioning the same



Eeb. 5, 19 57 0. JACOBI ET AL 2,780,067

ROOF SUPPORTING MEANS OR CAP AND A METHOD OF POSITIONING THE SAME Filed May 12, 1952 3 Sheets-Sheet l t xi INVENTORS 0. JACOB! ATTORNEYS Feb. 5, 195% Q JACOBI AL 2,780,067

ROOF SUPPORTING MEANS OR CAP AND A METHOD OF POSITIONING THE SAME Filed-May 12, 1952 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTORS 0. JAGOB/ 0. MULLER ATTORNEYS Feb. 5, 1957 o. JACOBI ETAL 2,730,067

ROOF SUPPORTING MEANS OR CAP AND A METHOD OF POSITIONING THE SAME Filed May 12. 1952 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 ROOF SUPPORTING MEANS R CAP AND A METHOD OF PDSITIONING THE SAME ()skar Jacobi, Oberhausen-Sterkrade, and Otmar Muller, Dusseldorf, Germany, assignors to Gutehofinungshutte Oberhausen Aktiengeselischaft, Oberhausen, Germany Application May 12, 1952, Serial No. 287,441

Claims priority, application Germany May 15, 1951 Claims. (CI. 61-45) The present invention relates to the art of mining and more particularly refers to a method of positioning roof supports, especially in coal mines and to the construction of a roof supporting means or cap for effecting the method.

Specifically the invention relates to a roof supporting means or cap and a method of positioning the same particularly adaptable for use in connection with the seams of small vertical dimensions.

In the mining of coal, utilizing a machine that planes the coal surface of the seam, a conveying means or face conveyor is positioned immediately rearwardly of the progressing coal mining operation. Additionally shoring and supporting means must likewise follow the progressing of the mining and roof supporting means such as bars or caps which are to be built ahead during the planing operation.

In the mining of coal under such circumstances the miners are not to tread upon or obstruct the conveying means and additionally they are not supposed to move to positions in advance of the conveying means. However it is necessary that they shore or support the roof immediately above the conveyor. This is a tedious operation and with conventional roof supports it is rather difficult to perform, particularly where the coal seam is less than 1.20 m. in thickness. For this purpose drivable steel supports have been proposed in which a supporter cap is either pushed through a supporting post or jack or driven upwardly and at an angle into the roof. Under these circumstances the height of the drift is increased.

It is also known to utilize a cap or supporting element positioning means consisting of a positioning and main post in combination with a conveying means and a remova apparatus. The cap positioning means of this type has on it an arm that extends into the space to be mined, which arm is termed an auxiliary positioner. This member is rigidily connected to the roof supporting arm of the positioner and is swingable into a position about a vertical axis provided at the free end of the roof supporting or cap arm and swingable about a rotatable journal from a direction extending parallel to the direction of mining coal into the direction of the roof support or cap.

It has been established that this known structure, particularly in connection with seams of reduced thickness, is too complicated and particularly too heavy and cumbersome to utilize effectively. Accordingly the present invention has for an additional object to obviate the inherent disadvantages attendant with such known constructions.

In accordance with the invention, in order to successfully and properly position roof supporting elements or caps in seams of low height, a plurality of bars or caps are utilized, each being similar to the other, and the cap to be positioned is hung at about a right angle to the cap already in position, thus with its axis extending in a plane approximately parallel to the axis of conveying means,the cap or element is then swung up and again nited States Patent 0 ice swung about above the conveying means to a position in continuation of the longitudinal axis of the previously positioned cap or element, following which positioning the cap or element being manipulated is locked to the previously set element.

In order to provide for the swingability or movement of the cap in two directions, means are incorporated with adjacent ends of two successive cap elements constituting a joint such as a Cardan joint, a ball and socket joint or a rotatable joint. In such construction it is particularly advantageous, and the present invention so provides, a locking means that locks the cap being manipulated in the position it has reached after the first swing ing and in which position it extends approximately par allel to the face conveyor. This auxiliary locking means prevents the downward swinging movement of the cap but is of such character as to permit succeeding swinging movement in a horizontal plane.

In accordance with the invention, after the second swinging movement when the cap or element has been positioned in continuation of the axis of the previously set cap, the joint between the two successive caps is stiffened or rendered rigid by a wedge means. Preferably and as embodied in this invention, when the Wedge means is driven or in this second locking step, the first mentioned lock is displaced. This unlocking of the first lock avoids the danger that due to forgetfulness a miner would exert force on the cap in the improper direction when the auxiliary lock is secured and which action might result in rupturing or damaging the cap.

A particular embodiment of the invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawings in which:

Figure 1 is a plan view partly in section of parts of adjacent caps after the cap being manipulated has been initially swung from a position where it is hanging downwardly from the cap in position to a position where it extends in approximate parallelism with the face conveyor;

Figure 2 is a plan view partly in section of the arrangement of Figure 1 after the cap being manipulated has been swung into position in approximate continuation of the axis of the previously set cap or element;

Figure 3 is a side view of Figure 2;

Figure 4 is a sectional view on line 4-4 of Figure 2;

Figure 5 is a fragmentary perspective view illustrating a cap element to be positioned prior to the insertion of the pin on the end thereof into the eye of a previously positioned element;

Figure 6 is a view similar to Figure 5 by illustrating the cap to be positioned as manipulated into alignment with the previously positioned cap;

Figure 7 is a fragmentary perspective view illustrating successive caps or bars in continuation of one another with the wedge of one bar engaging parts of the other bar;

Figure 8 is a diagrammatic plan View illustrating a roof supporting arrangement, and

Figure 9 is a diagrammatic side View illustrating a roof supporting arrangement.

In connection with this invention it will be appreciated that the planing machine or mining machine is positioned adjacent the body of coal to be planedl and as in conventional operations substantially immediately rearwardly of this mining machine is a conveying means known as a face conveyor which extends transversely to the longitudinal axis of the mining machine. As mining has progressed, the roof of the seam has been supported by caps or elements placed in position and braced by jacks or other suitable posts. In the area immediately superjacent the face conveyor and the mining machine it is important that cap or roof support means he placed in position. Due to the position of the conveyor and the machine it is exceedingly difficult to provide vertical posts in this area and particularly in low seam mining caps or roof supporting elements of a conventional character are quite ditficult to position and extremely unwieldy.

' In the drawings and in accordance with the present invention, the numeral 1 designates a cup or roof supporting element that has been fixed in position against the roof of the mine. Numeral 2 designates the cap or bar that is to be positioned as an extension of the previously positioned cap or bar. The elements are similar in construction in that on one end a joint or coupling is to be provided permitting double swinging motions which joint includes component parts of each successive cap member. in the arrangement illustrated, one end of each cap is provided with a turnable eye 3 which is adapted to receive a pin 4 which is formed at the other end of each cap element so that successive cap elements can be cooperatively associated with one another. The eye 3 is rotatably mounted at one end of each cap, as shown in the drawings, cap 1 for movement about an axis perpendicular to the pin 4, it being understood that each cap or bar has a pin at one end and an eye at the other. Each eye 3 has oppositely extending trunnions 21 and 22 journalled in a forked mounting means 23 which includes a supporting arm 24 and which mounting means is fastened to the end of the cap opposite the pin 4. As shown in Figure 3, the pin 4 of a cap 2 to be positioned has been inserted into the eye 3 of a previously positioned cap 1. In Figures 1 and 2 the trunnion 21 of the eye 3 is shown in dotted lines.

According to the present invention the cap 2 which is to be placed in roof supporting position is manipulated by a miner until its pin or socket engaging means is insorted into the eye or socket member 3 of the already supported cap. In effecting this insertion, the cap 2 is in a position that extend transversely of the already supported cap 1. In other words, cap 2 hangs from the eye in cap 1. In effecting the insertion, the eye is in a position where its axis is parallel to the longitudinal axis of cap 1. Thus, the cap element 2 is initially manipulated from in front of the eye and drawn back so that the pin enters the eye. When this happens, the cap 2 depends beneath cap 1. Where the height of the mine seam is less than the axial extent of the cap 2, thi cap will then be in a slanting position with its lower end resting on the floor of the seam. if the mine seam is of greater height than the length of the caps, the cap 2 will depend vertically beneath a previously positioned cap. Thus, in the initial assembly, the eye 3 is in the position shown in Figure 1. From this initial position, the cap 2 is swung upward toward the roof of the scam in a plane perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the cap 1. During this swinging movement of cap 2, the pin 4 turns in the eye 3 of cap 1 until cap 2 has been swung upwardly a sufficient distance toward the roof. The free end of cap 2 at this stage must lie somewhat beneath the roof in order that in its succeeding forward swinging movement it can clear any roof supporting means laterally spaced from the particular line of caps being extended.

it is believed apparent that in supporting roofs of mines that series of cap means are provided which in effect constitute rows of caps that are laterally spaced from one another. in the position just assumed by the cap where it is extending in the same transverse direction as the conveyor but slightly beneath the roof, the locking member is moved into engagement with a recess 6 in the eye 5 to hold the cap 2 in its initial elevated position. Thereafter cap 2 is swung about an approximate 90 angle forwardly in the direction of the arrow '7 above the conveying means so that it'assumes the position shown in Figure 2 and forms a continuation of the cap 1. During this swinging movement of previously raised cap 2 in a horizontal plane the pin 4 of cap 2 moves eye 3 of cap 1 by turning the same about the axis of the trunnions 2.1, 22 from the position of Figure 1 to the position of Figure 2. In this latter position eye 3 is disposed so that the plane of the eye lies parallel to the longitudinal axis of cap 1 whereby cap 2 is aligned with cap 1. if de sired a Cardan joint or ball and socket joint can be ernbodied in which the cap to be manipulated is removably associated with the cap in position. Once the cap 2 has reached the position where it is an extension of the cap 1, the drivable wedge member 8, which is slidable in guides 9 and 10 provided respectively on each cap, is driven home to position to rigidity the joint and to prevent any possible pivoting action of the cap 2 rela tive to the cap 1. During the forward movement of the wedge 8, the front end 11 thereof engages a lug or projection 1.2 formed on the locking bolt 5 and automatically withdraws the same from the recess 6 thereby unlocking the auxiliary lock. In order to maintain the caps in substantial alignment, the swinging motion of the turnable eye 3 is limited by the engagement of a lug 13 on the eye with a shoulder or lug 14 formed on the cap.

Figure 5 illustrates bar 2 about to be manipulated in a direction of arrow A so as to insert pin 4 into the eye 3 of bar 1. The eye 3 having previously been turned so that it is disposed transversely of the longitudinal axis of bar 1. After the pin 4 has been inserted in eye 3, bar 2, extending approximately at right angles to bar 1, is raised upwards until bolt 5 can be moved forward so that its end will engage in recess 6 that is provided in the eye 3. Then bar 2 is swung forwardly, that is in the direction indicated by arrow 7 in Figure 1, to assume the position of Figure 6. When wedge 8 is driven forwardly toward bar 2 the end thereof first disengages locking bolt 5 and in continued movement the Wedge rigidifies the joint.

Figure 7 illustrates the parts with the wedge moved forwards.

Figures 8 and 9 diagrammatically illustrate a series of rows of caps or bars supported on props 15. The coal face being mined is denoted at 18 and the roof that is to be supported is shown at 19 in Figure 9. A coal planar is illustrated diagrammatically at 17 and a conveyor for moving the coal is shown at 16.

Figures 8 and 9 also illustrate that the bars 2 extending in cantilever fashion over the converter 16, will no longer be suspended behind the bar 1, and then swung forwardly and vertically upwards in a direction to extend forwards of bar 1. In accordance with the teaching of this invention, the bar 2 will be suspended from the eye 3 to extend parallel to the conveyor 16 and coal face 18 and thus at a right angle to bar 1 already in position. Then bar 2 will be raised upwardly toward roof 19 and only then will it be swung forwardly in the direction of the arrow B, Figure 8, to extend in continuation of bar 1 following which the wedge will be moved forwardly to rigidify the bars.

It is believed clear that the props or posts are supported 0n the floor 20 and are raised upward to engage beneath the bars as mining progresses.

We claim:

1. A method of successively positioning roof supporting elements in mine seams comprising the steps of coupling a supporting element to be positioned to an element set in position so that the axis of the first mentioned element is transverse to the axis of the second mentioned element, swinging the first mentioned element while in the transverse position and in a plane at substantial right angles to the plane of the set element upwardly to a substantial horizontal position, preliminarily locking the elements together to maintain them in substantially the same horizontal plane while permitting movement of said first element inthat plane and swinging the first mentioned element from the transverse horizontal position to a position forwardly of and in continuation of the second mentioned element so that the first mentioned element attains a supporting position.

2. The method as defined in and by claim 1 and including the further step of simultaneously rigidifying and locking the elements in the last named position while simultaneously unlocking the preliminary locking previously attained.

3. A roof supporting element for supporting the roof of low mine seams comprising a rigid bar, a pin on one end of said bar, said pin extending transverse to the longitudinal axis of the bar, an eye on the other end of the bar, said eye being mounted pivotally about an axis transverse to the axis of the pin, and cooperable with the pin of a succeeding bar means for initial engagement of successive bar means in positions transverse to one another, said eye having a recess in its outer periphery, and auxiliary locking bolt carried by the end of the bar adjacent the pin and movable in the longitudinal direction of the bar towards the engaged pin for cooperative engagement with the recess in the eye to preliminarily couple two successive bars together, a main locking bolt carried by the end of the bar adjacent the eye and movable in the longitudinal direction of the bar for coupling with the adjacent end of the bar to be positioned so as to lock the successive bars in their supporting position in substantial alignment with one another, said auxiliary bolt having a lug projecting outwardly thereof and substantially parallel with the axis of the pin and engageable by the respective main bolt so that when the main bolt is driven home into its etfective position the lug is engaged by the main bolt and the auxiliary bolt is thereby withdrawn from the recess in the eye.

4. A roof supporting element for supporting the roof of seams in coal mines comprising a rigid bar means, a pin on one end of said bar means, said pin extending perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the bar means, an eye on the other end of said bar means, means mounting the eye for pivoting movement about an axis transverse to the longitudinal axis of the pin from one position in which the plane of the eye is transverse to the longitudinal axis of the bar to an end position in which the plane of the eye is substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the bar and said eye being cooperable with the pin on a succeeding element to be positioned to assemble successive elements together.

5. A roof supporting element as claimed in claim 4 in which the eye has a recess extending inwardly from its outer periphery and a movable locking bolt carried by the end of the bar means and adjacent the pin, the said locking bolt being movable along the longitudinal axis of the bar means towards the pin so as to be insertable within the recess on the eye of a previously positioned element to preliminarily couple the elements together.

6. A roof supporting element as claimed in claim 4 in which cooperating lug means are provided respectively on the eye and on the bar means adjacent the eye to limit the pivoting movement of the eye to its end position in which the general plane of the eye is substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the bar means.

7. A roof supporting element as claimed in claim 4 in which guide means are provided adjacent each end of the bar means, said guide means defining a pathway for a wedge, said pathway extending in the direction of the longitudinal axis of the bar means so that when successive bar means are positioned in alignment with the pin of one bar means engaged in the eye of another bar means, the said guide means are in alignment and a drivable wedge associated with the guide means adjacent the eye and the guide means of a successive bar means to lock the bar means in a position in substantial alignment with one another.

8. A roof supporting element for a coal mine comprising a bar member, socket means at one end of the bar member, means mounting the socket means for movement relative to the bar member in at least one direction about an axis that is transverse to the longitudinal axis of the bar member, means carried at the opposite end of the bar member including a socket engaging means extending transversely of the longitudinal axis of the bar member for cooperation with the socket means of the preceding bar member whereby successive bar members can be cooperatively associated with one another, the movability of the socket means facilitating initial assembly of successive bar member in a first position in which they are transverse to one another, said socket engaging means and said socket means having mutually contacting surfaces facilitating substantial swinging movement of one bar member in a plane substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the preceding bar member and while in the transverse position thereto and further swinging movement of the succeeding bar and the socket means from the transverse position to a position where the bar members are in continuation of one another and means for locking the bar members in said last mentioned position.

9. A roof supporting element for coal mines comprising a bar member and component joint means carried at opposite ends of the bar members facilitating assembly of successive bar members in cooperating relationship and in substantial alignment, said component joint means including a first coupling component at one end of the bar member and a second coupling component at the other end of the bar member, one of said components constituting a rigid member extending transversely of the longitudinal axis of the bar member, the other of said components having a recess therein for receiving the rigid member of a succeeding element to be coupled, and means mounting the other of said components for turning movement in at least one direction about an axis transverse to the longitudinal axis of the bar member whereby a succeeding bar member with its rigid member engaged in the recess of a preceding bar member can be bodily moved in at least two directions relative to the preceding bar member so that a succeeding bar member can be initially assembled on a preceding bar member in a position extending transversely thereto and then manipulated to a position in continuation thereof.

10. A method of successively positioning roof supporting elements in mine seams comprising the steps of coupling a supporting element to be positioned to an element set in position so that the axis of the first mentioned element is transverse to the axis of the second mentioned element and with the first mentioned element depending from the second mentioned element, swinging the first mentioned element while in the transverse position upwardly toward the second mentioned element to an elevat' ed position, and then swinging the first mentioned element from the transverse elevated position forwardly of the second element to a position in continuation of the second element so that the first mentioned element attains a supporting position with respect to the roof and then locking the elements together.

References Cited in the file of this patent FOREIGN PATENTS 416,999 Great Britain Sept. 26, 1934 660,738 Great Britain July 29, 1949 496,549 Belgium 1950 993,340 France July 25, 1951 

